World's largest law firm turns to India

Clifford Chance will outsource much of its work to India. The move is expected to yield over $18 mn in annual savings.

Clifford Chance, the world's largest law firm, has announced it would outsource much of its administrative work to India, in what will be the biggest move offshore ever undertaken in the legal profession.

The move is expected to yield more than $18 million (9.5 million pounds) in annual savings. The move to a service centre currently being built in New Delhi over 4,000 square metres and involve the creation of 300 new jobs.

The company, however, has refused to quantify how many jobs would be lost in Britain due to the move to India.

Integreon Managed Solutions, which has been commissioned to build the New Delhi facility, said the move by Clifford Chance was "very significant".

John Croft, Integreon's president of global sales, told the Guardian: "This is a big step, first because it is a law firm, and second because it is the biggest one in the world."

He added although other law firms, such as Baker & McKenzie, had already outsourced some operations, Clifford Chance's move represented a tipping point for outsourcing by the legal industry.

"It is a great seal of approval as well for India to get a firm like Clifford Chance, who are prestigious and have the confidence to set up there," said Croft.

"It speaks of the maturity of India. They now have more infrastructure, IT and security - all the things that might have held them back five years ago."